Fishing reel



Jan 9 41945- R. P. McMAHoN 2,366,920

A l I FISHING REEL y Filed Sept.l 18; 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 9, 1945. R. P. McMAHoN 2,366,920

FISHING REEL Filed Sept. 18, 1942 2 SheetsSheet 2 sleeve; i

Patented Jan. 9, `1945 Richard P. McMahon, Bronson, Mich., assignor to Bronson Reel Company, Bronson, Mich., a

corporation of Michigan `implicationSeptember 18, 1942, Serial No." 458,757

17 Claims,

This invention relates to fishing reels and includes among its objects and advantages the provision of a castingreel of simplified construction, increased durabilityand with the parts so arranged as to reduce to a minimum the danger of loss of parts in cleaning and overhauling and the manipulations necessary for disassembly and reassembly. A

In the accompanying drawings: Figure l` is a rear elevation of a complete reel; Figure 2 is a central vertical section; i Figure 3 is an enlarged detailed section as on line 3--3 of FigureZ; i i

Figure 4k is a detail of an alternative locking e the tail plate I0, the head ring I2, and the head cap I4. Pillars are provided, two of which, I6

I and I8, carry the conventional clamping plate 20 for fastening the reel in place on a rod;1 As

e clearly indicated in Figures 2 and 5, the pillar I6 is counterbored at both ends to receive fastening screws `22 and 24, which iastenthe ends of the pillar to the` tail plate I and head ring I2 respeci'ively.` The two remaining pillars arethe an end elevationof the `frame with to enter the nut 3l, and `at its upper end carries an annulus 46 adapted to slide in the opening 40. The annulus 46 and the main bolthead 48 are integrally assembled on the bolt 42 as by a cross `pin 50 driven through a transverse hole, `which hole passes through,` the shaft 42 and the neck 52 of the head 48 and the annulus 46. Rotatably mounted on the shaft 42 is a spool conventionally indicated at 54 having the usual end y flanges 56 and. e

The outer edge of the flange 56 is shrouded in a groove` ilin thetail plate Ill, and theouter edge of the` `end flange 58 nests in the opening in the head ring I2. I

Thedrive pinion 82 is rotatably supported by the shaft 42 and has teeth 64 projecting into rew spool. As `,the details of construction of these e rear `pillar 26 and the front pillar 28, which latter pillar is slotted to form a guide for `the level wind loop` 29. The pillars I8, 26, and 28 are all counterbored and` fastened with fastening screws to the tail .plate ID but, as indicated in connection with the pillar 28 in Figure 2,-they allpass `through` the headlring I2 `and have shoulders as at 30 to form abutments againstwhich the headring may rest. r

The head cap` I4 is'provided with aperipheral flange 32, the edge of `which abuts the surface of the head ring I2 along thevouteredge of `thehead i 1 ring. And the headcap I4 is apertured at three spaced points as at 34 in Figure 2 toreceive the extensions 3G of the pillars I8, 2B, and 28. Thus only the screw 24holds the head ring in the position of Figure 2 when `the headl cap Vis removed,

It will be apparent that with the parts in the relative position of Figure 2,`the end play or axial looseness of the` spool in its turning movement is determined by the distance between the face of the nut 3i, against which the boss 66 of the pinion 82 may abut, and the neck 52 of the head 48, which will abut against a similar boss 68 at the tail Vend of the spool, which boss,` in this instance, falso forms a swaged retaining flange for theclick wheel 10. ,e

The gear 'I2 on the sameshaft with the drive. crank 'I4 `meshes with the pinion 62 to rotate the parts are conventional,` this `description is not encumberedwith further illustration. of such details. e

i Thehead 48 comprises the neck 52, the body 18, and the'end flangev 18. Slidable on the body 'I6 is an annulus 88 adapted tohave sliding abut-` ment with the face of theadjacent tail plate Ill and to be forcibly held in abutment with thetail plate I0 by the relatively stiff compression spring 82. `Adjustmentofgthe positionofthe bolt to leave a minimum but sucient end play for the spool and hold the spring 82 under proper` tension, is by screwing the boltfinto the nuti'l.V To regulate and adjustthis movement, `there is provided an outer sleeve 84 having a knurled peripheral rib 86 at its upper endgand lugs 88 slidable in grooves 9G in` the flange 'I8 to permit the sleeve and head to have relative axial sliding movement but not rotation. To lock the parts `in adjusted position, there is provided the annulus 92, `which has a press t in thesleeve84 and carries two diametrically opposite locking lugs 94 adapted to enter selected diametrically opposite holes in a series ofholes 96 surrounding the central guide e and the cap M can be lifted off andthe spool can be lifted out of the frame so that all the parts can be inspected and cleaned or oiled. To reassemble the reel, it is only necessary to place the parts in the relative positions of Figure 2 and screw the bolt back in again. vIn doing this the user can head cap against longitudinal displacement; said screw the bolt in until abutment between the t bosses 6G and 68 and the parts adjacent causes- `the spool to bind a little. Then a retrogradey move-ment sufficient to bring the lugs 94 into the locking hole nearestthe position where the binding begins to happen Will permanently position the parts ready for vuse with a minimum of end play in the spool, with the spool turning perfectly ree.

Referring to Figure 4, there is illustrated a tail plate |2fl of Bakelite or composition material in which a metallic annulus |26 is` embedded to of circumferentially the lugs Slt. s

v Referringto Figures 5, 6, and `r7, I have illustrated the conventional click means in the nature spaced sockets |30 to receive dene a guide opening |28 for the bolt and a series j resilient means including a center bolt having one end threadedly connected to said head cap; the other end of said bolt extending beyond the plane of said tail member; and nut means operatively connected with said tail member for abutment therewith; said nut means including an end flange integral with said bolt and presenting an abutment face facing `toward the head cap, an annulus spaced from said end flange and also presenting `an abutmentfacefacing toward said .head cap; anda bolt spring acting `in compression between said flange and annulus, whereby screwing said bolt Ainto said-head cap will compress said spring and set up tension in said bolt to hold said head 'cap in place; va spool journaled on said bolt;`a

drive pinion at the head end of said spoolj said pinion having an annular abutment surface at its head end adapted to abut the adjacent head cap; said spool having an annular abutment surface at its tail end; said bolt having. an annular flange adapted to abut said spool abutment, whereby screwing said bolt into said head cap determines the end play of said spool and pinion; locking means for said bolt and its nut'means including a sleeve housing said annulus and compression spring and splined to said end flange; locking projections on said sleeve; receiving means carried by said tail member for receiving said locking projections to hold said sleevein any one of a plurality'oforientations separated by d less than 90 of rotation; and a sleeve spring actof a click spring |00 riveted to the tail plate at |82 and cooperating |64.

The level wind mechanism is also conventional, and includes the reversely threaded shaft |06 carrying the integrally assembled pinion |08 with the locking plate Il rotatable but not axially movable with respect to the shaft and pinion and clamped in suitable recesses ||2 in the head ring l2 by fastening screws H4. The tail end of the with the movable click point shaft is reduced to form ya bearing portion llt,y

and the shaft is covered by the guard ||8 which is held in place by lugs |20 at its ends entering suitable positioning recesses in the adjacent tail plate and head ring. This level wind mechanism is held in place kbetween the tail plate and head ring but need not itself constitute a tension connection between them. After the parts have been disassembled asv previously indicated, removal of the fastening screw 24 will permit the user to lift the head ring I2 off the extensions 36 and the sh1eld-| |23r will be released while the shaft |06 will remain assembled with the head ring |2.

head ring.; certain of said pillars having extensions of reduced diameter extending through said head ring and beyondthe same to form guide pins; said vheadcap being apertured to receive said guide pins and be held in'place thereby, except for longitudinal displacement parallel to said pins; and resilient means for holding said ing in compression and housed in said sleeve out# side said bolt spring and abutting said end ange and sleeve to resiliently hold said sleeve Awith its projections entered in said receiving means; la

drive shaft journaled in said head cap on an axis offset from the axis of said bolt and spool a drive gear on said shaft inside said cap meshing with said spool pinion; a manual operating crank on said shaft outside said' head cap; and level wind mechanismincluding .aV reversely threaded shaft assembled with said head ring and axially positioned by engagement with said head ring only; alevel wind carriage on said shaft; a shield for said shaft; said'shield having interlocking abutment means engaging said tank member and head ring to hold it in place; and gearing connecting said level wind shaft and said drive shaft. Y

2;. A fishing reel comprising, in combination:` a tail member; a head ring; a head `cap having a flange shaped for abutment with said head ring; a plurality of pillars each fastened to said tail member and extending across to said head ring; certainof said pillars having extensions of kreduced diameter extending through said head ring` and beyond the sameftoform guide pins; said headcap being apertured to receive said guide pins and be held in place thereby, except for longitudinal displacement parallel to said pins;` and resilient means for holding said head cap against longitudinalv displacement; said resilient means including a center bolt having one end threadedly connected to said head cap; the other end of said bolt extending beyond the plane of said tail mem# ber;` and nut means operatively connected withV said tailA member for abutment therewith; said nut means including an end Vflange integral with said bolt and presenting an abutment face facing toward the head cap; an annulus spaced from said end flange and also presenting an abutment `face facing toward saidhead cap; and a bolt spring acting in compression between said flange ,and annulus, whereby screwing said boltl into said head cap will compress said springf and "set up i end adaptedtlto'abutithe:adjacenttheadzcap said spoolihavingwan annular."abutmentfsurface. tu its tailiend; said. boltlhaving" an: annularf flange adapted to: abut: said' spool: abutment; whereby screwingzsaidibolt into lsaid. head :caps determines the fend' playof 'said spool and:pini`on.k;.and.flocking means yfot` said bolt andfitsisnutizmeans sincluding:` all sleeve housing. said annulus" andl compression spring l' and splined t to. saidr.` end4 ange.. locking proj ectlons! on said sleeve; i receiving l'means i car- `ried by said tail member for. receivingsad lock.-

ingV projections tolholdsaidi'sleeve irr any one of a plurality' of orientations; andi `a sleeve. spring :act-` ingin compression fandhouseddnsaid" sleeve `and abutting' said iendiflange': and 1. sleeve to resiliently hold!` said*` sleeve: with: its projections entered in said receivingmeans; a;d1`rive'xshaft` journaled in said;head-cap` on an axis offset from the: axis'iof said:n bolt an'olxspool; ai. drive gear? on `saidi shaft inside said i cap' meshing with 9 said spool pinion; andfamanual. operating crank'` onsaid shaft outsideisaid lhea'dtcap;` 1

v 3'.='y An iishing. reel.. comprising, infcombination:

ai tail 1 member; at headriring; af head cap` having au flange shaped: forr abutment` with said head ring; apluralityr ofpillars. eachfastened to said tailmember. and? extending. across" to; said head ringycert'ain of said.'A pillars endingat'said ring i and beingrfastenedtheretozcertainofsaid pillars havinglextensionszof reduced diameter extending through said head ring and beyond; tlxersame-,toA

l formuguideipins; saidiheadcap beinggaperturedLi-,o receive saidi guide. pins andk be heldin place thereby',. except fon longitudinal. displacement parallel; to` said'. pins.; and` resilient means for i holding; saidzheadi capil again-sti longitudinal displacement; saidi resilient rmeansw including a i centerfbolt. having one end-s threadedlwconnectedrto. saidilieadlcap theioftherf end 'of said l bolt: extend-i ingl' beyondM1 the 4 plane.` off' said tail. member.;` and: nut means operatively connected witlrlsaidr tail member fori` abutment therewith; said; nut'. means including an end?. llan'gef; integral with l said: bol-t andy presenting an abutment* face facing: toward. theheadcap; ani annulus-spacedifromisai ienci flange and also presenting an abutmentface fac` in'g` toward said-head cap",y and iaboltzspring acting irr` compression 1b'etween'lsad filange and.` annulus.

whereby screwing saidboltintolisaid head' cal)` will compress` i sa'id'fsprngf and set uptension-` in saidbolt--tovhcld saidheadfcapfin': place; a. spool journal'edion said` bolt'a' drive pinion atf-the head endoffsaidspool; saidpin'ion; havingran. annular" abutment surface atfit's lheadiendadapted; to*v abut the adjacent head? cap; said spooll having anlannular abutment surface'at itstail endt` saidibfoliI having an annular 'f flange adaptedTv to' abutfsaidspool 'l abutment whereby'` screwing said' boltL into' `said head" can-determines: the'r end playl o'f-"said spool? andpinion;.locking` meansv forf'said* i solidi-shaft inside fsaidf'caplmeshingiwitlr-sadlspooli piniont: andi ai manual: operating? crank: on z: said' shaft:` outside .i said head:` cap.

. '4t `Aiishing reel comprising; in''.combinationzfV ai tail ;member; ahead. ring;4 a head cap shavingaa flange4 sliaped for abutment with: said head; ring; afprluralty of' pillars each fastened to said.tail memberrand extending across to said: headring; certainof said pillars ending at said ring. and being` fastened j thereto; certa-iny .oi saidA pillars having :extensions of reduced diameter extending through :said head ring and beyond thensamel to form guide pins; said head cap being apertured paralleli to i said pins; and resilient means for i holdingsaidhead cap against longitudinal dis.-

placement; said resilient, means .including a2 cen-y ter bolt. havingone.v end `threadedlyA connectedV to said headlcap; .the other end of said `bolt extend-` ling beyond the plane `of' said tail member; .and

nutmeans operatively connected with. said tail member 'for abutment therewith; said nut means i including an end flange integral with said bolt andlpresenting, an abutment face `facing toward thefheadfcap; an annulusgspacedirom said' end flange; and also presenting an abutment facefac.- ing towardsaid head: cap, and .a bolt spring bel tweensaidfflange and lannulus, whereby screwing saidbolt into said head cap will compress said springend-.setup tension in said bolt to hold said p head cap in place.; a:spool journaled orrsaidibolt; afdrivefpinion at theheadend of said spool; said pinion having an=annular abutment surface.` at its head end l adapted to. abut the adjacentthead cap; .saidvspool having ari-annular abutment; sure face aty its` tail end; said bolt havingI an annular ilange` adapted` to abut. saidspool abutment; whereby screwing said bolt into said head `cap determines theend play of .said sDOol and pinion; locking; means for said bolt and` its nut means; a-.drive shaft journaled` in said head cap on an axis offset from the axis of said bolt and` spool; a drivegear onsaid shaft inside said. capmeshing with `said spool pinion. and amanual operating crank on saidshaft outside said head. cap.

5. A ishing` reel comprising, in combination: a-.tail member; a head ring; .a head cap having aflange shaped for abutment .with said head ring; Y

a. plurality of pillars each fastened to said tail member'l andextending across to said .head ring; atleast one of said pillars ending'at said ring and.; being fastened thereto; certain of` said pillars extending throughsaid head ringand` beyond the same to form` guide `pins; said head cap ;A being apertured to receive said guide pins and be held in placethereby,` except for longitudinal displacement parallel to said pins; and resilient l said.` boltwandA presenting .an'abutment face fac;`

ingftoward the headcap .anannulus spaced from said end'flange and also presenting an'abutment farcek facingtoward said head cap, and a` bolt sprngibetweenl said flange and annulusfwhereby" screwing` said; bolt. into` said. head capu will compressl'said spring-i and setup tension in' said"v boltttoholdsaid head `cap in place; a spool jour:A

naledz on said.` bolt; a1 drive pinion at therhead @rendi of.` said spool;A said f pinion. having an abut;`

ment surface at its headv end adapted to abut the adjacenthead cap; said spool having an annular abutment surface at its tail end; said bolt having an annular flange adapted to abut said spool abutment; whereby screwing said bolt into said head cap determines the end play of said spool and pinion; a drive shaft journaled in said head cap on an axis offset from the axis of said bolt and spool; a drive gear onksaid shaft inside said cap meshing with said spool pinion; and a manualoperating crank on said shaft outside said head cap 6. A shing reel comprising, in combination:

member and beyond the same to form guide pins;

said head cap being apertured to receive saidl guide pins and, beheld in place thereby, except for longitudinal displacement parallel to said pins; and resilient means for holding said head cap against longitudinaldisplacement; said resilient means including a center bo-lt having one end threadedly connected `to said head cap; the other end of said bolt extending beyond the plane of said tail member; and nut means operatively connected with said tail member for abutment y therewith; said nut means including an end flange integral with said bolt and presenting an abutment face facing toward the head cap, an

annulus spaced from said end flange and also presenting an abutment face facing toward said head cap, and a compression bolt spring between said flange and annulus, whereby screwing said bolt into said head cap will compress said spring and set up tension in said bolt to hold said head cap in place.

7. A fishing reel comprising, in combination: a tail member; a head member; a head cap shaped for abutment with said head member; a plurality of pillars each fastened to said tail member and extending across to said head member; at least one of said pillars ending at said head member and being fastened thereto; certain of said pillars extending through said head member' and beyond the `same to form guide pins; said head cap being aperturedto receive said guide pins and be held in place thereby, except for longitudinal displacement parallel to said pins; and resilient means for holding said head rcap against longitudinal displacement; said resilient means including a center bolt having one end threadedly connected to said head cap; the other end of said bolt extending beyond the plane of said tail member; and resilient means acting on said othei end of said shaft to set up tension in said bolt to hold said head cap in place.

8. A fishing reel comprising, in combination: a

i tail member; a head member; a head cap having a flange shaped for abutmentwith said head member; a plurality of pillars each fastenedk to said tail member and extending across to said head member; guide means acting between said cap and head member for holding said head member in place, except for longitudinal displacement parallel to said guide means; and resilient means for holding said head cap against such longitudinal displacement; said resilient means including a center bolt having one end threadedly connected to said headcap, the other end of said bolt extending beyond the plane of said tail member, and resilient means for setting up tension in said bolt; a spool journaled on said bolt; a drive pinion at the headend of said spool; said pinion having an annular abutment surface at its tail end; said bolt having an annular flange adapted to abut said spool abutment,` whereby `screwing said bo-lt into said head cap determines the end play of said spool and pinion; locking means for said bolt and its nut means; a drive shaft journaled in said head cap 0n anaxis offset from the axis of said bolt and spool; a drive gear on said shaft inside said cap meshing with said spool pinion; and a manual operating crank on said shaft outside said head cap.

9. A fishing reel comprising, in combination: a tail member; a head member; a head cap; a plurality of pillars each fastened to said tail member and extending across to said head member;

a center bolt having lone end threadedly connected to said head cap; the other end of said bolt extending beyond the'plane of said tail member and having nut means operatively connected with said tail member for abutment therewith; a spool journaled on said bolt; a drive pinion at the head end of said Spool; said pinion having an annular abutment surface at its head end adapted to abut the adjacent head cap; said spool having an annular abutment surface at'its tail end; said bolt having an annular flange' adapted to abut said spool abutment, whereby screwing said bolt into said head cap determines the end play of said spool and pinion; locking means for said bolt and its nut means; and a spool driving transmission housed in said cap.

10. A fishing reel comprising, in combination: a tail member; a head member; a head cap; a

`plurality of pillars each fastened to said tail member, and extending across to said head member; a center bolt having one end threadedly connected to said head cap; the other end of said bolt extending beyond the plane of said tail member, and having nut means operatively connected with said tail member for abutment therewith; locking means for said bolt and its nut means including: a sleeve at the tail end of said bolt and splined to said bolt; locking projections on said sleeve; receiving means carried by said tail member for receiving said locking projections to hold said sleeve against rotation; and a sleeve spring acting in compression and housed in said sleeve to resiliently hold said sleevey with its projections entered in said receiving means; and a spool driving transmission housed in said cap.

11. A fishing reel comprising, in combination:` a tail member; a head member; a head cap; pillars connecting said members; guide means for said head cap to hold it in place except for longi.. tudinal displacement; and resilient means for holding said head lcap against longitudinal di'splacement; said resilient means including acenter bolt having one end threadedly connectedto said head cap, and spring means at the other end of said bolt; a spool journaledon said bolt; and a spool driving transmission housed in said Cap. f

12. A shing reel comprising, in combination: a rotatable spool; end members at opposite ends of said spool; a tension member extending along the axis of said spool to interconnect said end members and t0 rotatably support said spool; guide means other than said tension member and remote from the -spool axis, for restrainingA said end members from relative movement except in translation parallel tothe spool axis;,said tensiony said end members; and a resilient lost-motion abutment connection between said tension member and the other end member.

13. A -shing reel comprising, in combination:` a rotatable spool; end members at opposite ends of said spool; a tension member extending along the axis of said spool to interconnect said end members and to rotatably support said spool; guide means other than said tension member for restraining said end members from relative movement except in translation parallel to the spool axis; said tension member having threaded con# nection with one of said `endmembers; and a resilient lost-motion abutment connection between said tension member and the other end member.

14. A shing reel comprising, in combination:

a frame including a tail member, a head member,

a cap member, and pillars parallel to a common axis and interconnecting said members and holding them in position except for axial separation; a rotary spool housed in said frame; an axial bolt supporting said spool and holding said members .against axial separation;` said bolt atone end thereof, having a screw-threadedconnection with one of said members; said bolt having two abutment shoulders at the end remote from said threaded connection; one of said shoulders `being rigid` and the other being axially movable and i resiliently pressed toward said threaded connecaxis and interconnectingsaid members and hold-` ing them in position except for axial separation;

against axial separation; said rigid shoulder engaging the adjacent end of the spool to limit axial play ofthe spool on `the bolt; and adjustment means forming part of said non-resilient connection for varying the axial spacing between said l non-resilientconnection and said rigid shoulder. 16. A iishing reel comprising, in combination:

`d, frame including a tail member, a head member,

a rotary spool housed in said frame; an axial bolt supporting said spool and holding said :members frame member to hold the frame members against axial separation; said rigid shoulder engaging the adjacent end of the spool `to limit axial play of the spool on the bolt; and adjustment means for varying the axial spacing` between said non-resilient connection andsaid rigid shoulder.

17. .A iishing reel comprising, in combination: a frame including a tail member, a head member,

t and a cap memberand pillars parallel to a common axis and interconnecting said members and 'holding them in position except for axial separation; a rotary spool housed in said frame; an axial a rotary spool housed in said frame; an axial bolt supporting said spool and holding said members against axial separation; said bolt at one` end thereof, having a non-resilient connection with one of said members; said bolt having two `abutment shoulders at theend remote from said nonresilient connection; one of said shoulders being i rigid and the other being axially movable and resiliently` pressed toward said non-resilient connection; said movable shoulder engaging an adbolt supporting said spool and holding said members against axial separation; said bolt at one end thereof, having a non-resilient connection with one of said members; ysaid bolt having two abutment shoulders at the end remote from said non-resilient connection; one of said shoulders being rigid and the other being `axially movable and resiliently pressed toward said non-resilient connection; said movable shoulder engaging an adjacent frame member to hold the frame members against axial separation; said rigid shoulder 

